Education and training help people to develop knowledge and skills that may be used to enhance their own wellbeing and that of the broader community. For an individual, education is widely regarded as a key factor in developing a rewarding career. For the nation, having a skilled work force is vital in supporting ongoing economic development and in improving living conditions.

People can obtain knowledge and skills in many different fields and in a variety of ways, including through formal, non-formal and informal learning. Formal learning may take place in schools and universities or through vocational education and training. Non-formal learning can include structured training that does not result in an accredited qualification, for example, on-the-job training. Informal learning includes the acquisition of knowledge through non-institutionalised means, such as learning from family members, the community or through leisure activities. An ideal indicator of education, training and progress might measure the sum of all knowledge and skills held by people through formal, non-formal and informal learning. However, such an indicator does not currently exist. The commentary that follows mainly focuses on formal education in relation to the development of skills used in paid employment.

The headline indicator is the proportion of the population aged 25-64 years with a vocational or higher education qualification. Supplementary indicators of progress include education participation rates for people aged 15-19 years, and apparent school retention rates.

Further information is also provided for the different types of training that people receive, such as work-related training and informal training. In future editions of MAP, these will be included as supplementary progress indicators and will track changes over time.

For a full list of definitions, please see the Education and training glossary.